Scooters are all around Georgia. They give residents and tourists a quick and easy way to get around town. Some Lawrenceville residents also own scooters for commuting. While scooters might seem like convenient alternatives to walking or driving, they aren’t the safest way to travel.
Unsurprisingly, the popularity of scooters is linked to an increase in the number of scooter accidents in Georgia. Recognizing the danger, the state Governor’s Office for Highway Safety partnered with Atlanta’s Shepherd Center to focus on scooter accident prevention. According to the Shepherd Center, which specializes in treating brain and spinal cord injuries, 44 percent of scooter accident injuries in recent years have been brain injuries.
If you suffered injuries in a scooter accident due to someone else’s wrongful actions, you could be entitled to compensation for your losses. A Lawrenceville scooter accident lawyer at Butler Kahn can help. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn your legal options.
What are Lawrenceville’s Scooter Laws?
Georgia law places scooters in the same category as mopeds. A moped is a motor-driven cycle with either two or three wheels and:
- An independent motor source providing a maximum of two brake horsepower
- A power source that does not allow the vehicle to exceed 30 miles per hour
- An automatic power drive system requiring no clutching or shifting
Like moped drivers, scooter operators have the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers and, for the most part, must obey the same traffic laws as any other motorist.
Other moped laws (and thus scooter laws) also apply. To lawfully operate a scooter on Georgia roads, you must:
- Be at least 15 and have an unexpired driver’s license or permit
- Wear a helmet approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Stay off of limited-access roads or roads with minimum speed limits above 35 miles per hour
- Not drive while distracted or under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Only drive a scooter in areas where vehicles are authorized to travel in Lawrenceville parks or recreational facilities
What are Some Common Causes of Scooter Accidents in Lawrenceville?
The most common causes of electric scooter accidents in Lawrenceville include:
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Swerving into bike paths or lanes
- Speeding or driving aggressively
- Tailgating scooter riders sharing the road
- Weaving in and out of traffic
What are Some Injuries That Can Occur From a Scooter Accident?
Besides their helmet, nothing protects a scooter operator from the violent impact of a traffic accident, so scooter accident injuries are often serious. Many riders get ejected from their scooters and land hard on the pavement, where they can get run over by oncoming traffic or struck by flying debris. Even when riders stay upright, they can suffer painful injuries from blunt-force trauma, lacerations from sharp metal or glass, or burns from contact with hot vehicle equipment.
The most common injuries caused by scooter accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Road rash and lacerations
- Broken bones
- Torn ligaments and other soft tissue injuries
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Nerve damage
- Crushing injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Spinal cord injuries
- Impalement
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Loss of limb
Are There Things I Can Do to Keep Myself Safe While Riding a Scooter?
You can do your part to reduce the chance of a scooter accident in Lawrenceville by:
- Wearing a helmet while riding
- Wearing brightly-colored or reflective clothing so drivers can see you, especially at night
- Checking your brakes, tires, cables, headlights, taillights, and other parts to ensure they function correctly before riding
- Never operating a scooter while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Keeping both hands on the handlebars at all times
- Using your horn to alert motorists to your presence (when necessary)
- Never making unpredictable, abrupt movements while riding
- Obeying traffic laws at all times
What Should I Do If I Am Involved in Scooter Accident?
You can take care of yourself and protect your legal rights after a scooter accident in Lawrenceville by:
- Seeking immediate treatment after leaving the accident scene
- Following your doctor’s recommendations and attending all follow-up appointments
- Gathering evidence from the crash site, such as driver information and photos
- Keeping copies of accident-related prescription receipts, hospital records, invoices, and other medical documents
- Consulting a Lawrenceville scooter accident lawyer before speaking to insurance companies or other outside parties
How Do You Prove Liability in a Lawrenceville Scooter Accident?
Proving liability for a scooter accident case requires substantial evidence. What you need varies depending on the unique circumstances of your case but could include:
- Police reports
- Photos from the crash scene
- Video footage of the accident
- Medical records and bills
- Eyewitness statements
- Expert testimony
What if Someone Dies From a Scooter Accident?
If someone close to you dies in a scooter accident someone else caused, you could have grounds for a wrongful death claim against the liable party. With a successful wrongful death case, you could recover money for your loved one’s final medical costs, the loss of their income, and your pain and suffering.
Only certain family members can file wrongful death claims in Georgia, and these cases are subject to strict time limits. Seek advice from an experienced wrongful death lawyer after a fatal scooter accident in Lawrenceville.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered from the Accident?
If you file a successful insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit after a scooter accident, you could receive compensation for:
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Contact a Lawrenceville Scooter Accident Lawyer
If you are reading this page because you or a loved one has been hurt in a scooter accident, we at Butler Kahn hope you are receiving the medical care that you need and making a recovery. We hope the information on this page has been helpful. If you’d like to talk with us about your situation, call us or contact us online. There is no charge to talk with us about your case.
